THE 69TH HUNGER GAMES - Book 2: Trainer

Chapter 17 - Home Sweet Home

As I step off the aircraft, which has landed on an empty field near the town square, I finally appreciate the simple beauty of District 8. Ahead of me, I see the town square and the local school further up the hills in the distance. Birds chirp over me as they fly towards a cluster of trees at the edge of the town square. The sky is a brilliant blue, and almost cloudless. The factories in the distance aren’t churning out copious amounts of smoke, since most of them are closed during the Hunger Games period.

 

I grab my bag and walk towards the town square, happy to be back home and away from the mess back at the Capitol. As I walk, some of the town folk wave and say hello. Most of them are quite upset during this time of the year, since everyone is forced to watch the games.

I suddenly pause in my tracks and drop my bag as I suddenly see the boarded up shop in the town square ahead of me. I realise that it is the deli which Lianka’s auntie runs. I wonder if she is still working here.

 

“Hyora?” I hear someone say from behind.

 

I turn around and gasp at the sight of Miss Twill, the high school teacher. I haven’t seen her since the end of the 68th Hunger Games. She looks worn out compared to the last time I saw her. She walks up to me and hugs me, then says, “I’m so glad you’re alright.”

 

“Oh my gosh, Miss Twill?” I exclaim. “What’s been happening around District 8?”

 

“Nothing really,” she says, as she releases from the hug. “I’m so sorry about what happened to Lianka.”

 

I tense up at the sound of her name.

 

“I do feel as though Dean has a chance of winning,” Ms Twill mutters, followed by a slight smile.

 

I look up her with a puzzled look worn on my face. “What do you mean?” I ask.

 

“Well, Dean was in the fitness class at the school,” Ms Twill says.

 

“What does that have to do with Dean having a chance of winning?” I mutter, confused.

 

“Well, the fitness teacher has been secretly training her students in combat and survival during her classes, in case any of her students get chosen for the games,” Ms Twill smiles. “She wasn’t happy with the fact that Districts 1, 2 and 4 have training academies for their career tributes, while the other districts don’t.”

 

“Oh, wow, I didn’t know that,” I mutter.

 

“Yeah, but don’t tell anyone I told you this,” Ms Twill giggles.

 

“I won’t” I smile back.

 

“So, tell me what’s been happening in the Capitol?” Ms Twill says.

 

I begin to walk up the hill, with Ms Twill following beside me.

 

“Oh, so much drama has been going on,” I sigh. “That Cashmere woman from District 1 keeps taunting me about Dean and Lianka,” I mutter angrily.